Pilgrims of every faith follow in Mother Teresa’s footsteps to learn mercy
An Australian interfaith group ends its pilgrimage to various shrines representing India’s religions. After Delhi, Varanasi, and Bodh Gaya, they reached Kolkata. Here they learnt, through Mother Teresa’s charities, how “important it is to serve, not only for Christians but for all religions." Religious fundamentalism "does not build peace; it only leads to war."
Mumbai (AsiaNews) – A group of Australian pilgrims is set to travel home after visiting a number of sacred shrines that belong to India’s various religions. They will do so with a number of teachings, like opening doors to others without fear, serving them without distinction of creed or race following the example of Mother Teresa, and understanding that the religious fundamentalism of those who want to impose their faith only leads to war and away from peace.
In early February, a group of eight Australian believers came to India for an interfaith pilgrimage, with the aim of reinvigorating inter-faith dialogue. Rev John Dupuche, an expert in Sanskrit and Kashmir Tantric Shaivism who chairs the Catholic Interfaith Committee of the Archdiocese of Melbourne, led the group, which included four lay people and three religious with different religious experiences.
The group first visited Delhi, where they met several Muslim experts and vetted Islamic texts. This was followed by a visit to Varanasi, the city that symbolises Hinduism. The third stop took them to Bodh Gaya, where they meditated under the Bodhi tree, where, according to tradition, the Buddha attained enlightenment.
Speaking about this leg of the pilgrimage, Rev Dupuche noted that “there were huge groups from overseas”, and so “we not able to pray together; however, we stood in silence in the presence of the sacred. Silence is also an important aspect of dialogue.”
“This place,” he added, "reminded me of the Holy Sepulchre, the empty tomb in Jerusalem where Jesus rose from the dead."
The last city visited was Kolkata, which for Christians symbolises Mother Teresa’s charities. This city was a crucial part of the pilgrimage, because "we did not come here only as pilgrims, but also to serve."
Here, the pilgrims visited the Nirmal Hriday, the hospice for the sick, the poor and destitutes founded by the Blessed in Kalighat, Kolkata, where she served the poorest of the poor.
Mother Teresa’s teachings “are important,” said the clergyman, “not only for Christians but also for all religions; they symbolise inter-faith dialogue. Every religion that serves shows the true depth and meaning of its teachings.”
This trip, said Rev Dupuche, after visiting L'Arche community in Kolkata, home to people of people living with different disabilities, "has taught us that serving others, regardless of creed or race, is a source of intense joy and peace. Conversely, religious fundamentalism is not only negative, but also counterproductive. It leads to war rather than peace. What we have to do instead is follow Pope Francis’ call for this Year of Mercy to open doors, minds and the hearts of others."
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